Work Text:
Something had shifted between them since Zant’s attack. Since Midna had been laying dying on Link’s back as he ran through a storm to save her. Now she didn't know how to speak to him. It was strange, having a physical form in the Light Realm. While she could still hide in Link's shadow, now she had the opportunity to feel the ground under her feet. Link had started a fire, the warmth of it on her skin being unfairly pleasant. It was yet another blessing she would never get to thank Zelda for.
Zelda. Thinking about Hyrule’s princess left her feeling empty, despite now being instilled with the power of light. It was another thing to add to her list of things her people had taken from the Light Realm.
Link was sitting across from her, staring into the fire. The dark purple handle of the Master Sword flickered in the light of the flames. It was what marked him as chosen by the Goddesses. He had come into his own as the chosen hero, a paragon of light. It was everything Midna had been looking for when she had first been cast out into Twilight ridden Hyrule. Link was becoming the tool she would use to get her kingdom back.
So why did she feel so scared every time she caught a glimpse of that blade?
It was her best hope of defeating Zant. He was her only hope. She should be overjoyed he now had one of the keys to do so. But whenever she looked at Link, she could only feel this profound sense of loss. The sword marked him as a true hero. The fire lit up the golden highlights in his dark blond hair, making them gleam like sun rays. Link was warmth and light itself, it was no surprise the sword had chosen him.
Midna was the princess of the dusk and shadows, everything that was currently invading his world and holding it hostage. They were joined at the edge by a seam, but never meant to meet. Link was good and she was nothing but darkness. She wouldn't be able to feel the light now without the sacrifice of another.
“Midna?” Link's voice broke her out of her thoughts. She looked up, trying to quell her uncertainty as she met his gaze. He still had the same blue eyes she had come to know, clear as a cloudless sky. They were shining with concern, another reminder of the undeserved kindness he always gave her. “Still getting used to the heat?” The corner of his mouth quirked up into a small smile. She felt it like a stab to the heart.
Midna forced a toothy grin, “I think I can handle a little fire.”
Link rolled his eyes fondly. He stretched out one leg and raised his other knee, resting one arm on it. He was painfully relaxed. They were surrounded by nothing but Ordon Woods and the night sky. Midna looked up at it for a moment, both to avoid looking at Link and to drink in its familiarity. “It's okay if you're… overwhelmed,” he sighed, “We've been through a lot lately.”
Midna snorted, “That's one way to put it.” Her gaze wandered towards him, unable to help herself. He was annoyingly bright like everything in this forsaken realm. There was no way he wouldn't capture her attention. His shoulders were broad, muscles showing under his tunic that betrayed a life of farmwork. His body had only been sharpened by their quest, pushed beyond its breaking point until it had to remold itself. She wondered too often what it would feel like to feel that powerful frame pressed up against her. Even now her eyes snagged on his shoulders and the slope of a bicep under his arm, pushing out as he held up a waterskin and took a long drink.
“Midna.” Her name was beautiful coming out of his mouth, “You can talk to me.”
“I-” She looked away from his piercing gaze, “That sword is a symbol of hope. It's just hard to believe it's here.”
“It's hard to believe I have it,” Link admitted to her, “I never was trying to be a hero.” He rolled his shoulders back, “But that's not all that's wrong.”
She grimaced, hating that he could read her now after they had traveled so long together. Her mouth twisted into a snarl, “Can you just drop it? Goddesses, Link! I'm not going to spill my heart out to you just because you're divine and holy now.” She spat out her last words with venomous sarcasm.
“You almost died!” Link protested, “Of course I'm going to be worried.” She watched his breath hitch as he sighed, “I thought we were in this together.”
Together. She wanted to be with him so badly, wanted nothing more than to cave into that innocent stare. It would be so easy to walk over to him and sit next to him. They could share some of the remaining nuts he'd bought during their last trip to Kakariko. He would tell her some inane story about the farm he worked on, or the kids he had risked life and limb for. She could pretend her life was simple, if only for a moment.
But she knew that would never be possible. She shouldn't be able to sit with Link. She was never meant to exist with him in this world. He was devastatingly warm and she longed to soak in his rays. She wished she could just let herself pretend.
Link turned, reaching over to grab something out of his bag. The light of the campfire caught the Master Sword once more. She swallowed and looked down at her hands. They were still much too small. No man was ever going to want her in this state, anyway. “We are together,” she whispered. Link turned back around and beamed at her.
“We’ll get through this,” he promised, “Zant will pay for what he did to you.”
What about you? She knew better than to ask that question. Link always thought in terms of what he could do for others. It was why she was still standing here, when he could have left her for dead if he wanted to. His kindness was dangerous, always drawing her in. Link was the kind of man who was easy to love. She wondered if that Ilia girl knew how lucky she truly was.
“He will,” she agreed with her fangs bared. That was a vow she would make good on. The usurper would pay with his life. Link nodded and stretched, muttering something about going to sleep. He curled up in his sack. Midna would soon take up residence in his shadow, taking her refuge in the dark.
But for now she stayed up, watching the fire die and light dance across the coals. Sparks flitted up into the sky, burning against the darkness and keeping it at bay. Then their glow would fade, eaten away by the cold night air.
To Minda, the darkness wasn't a comfort that evening, but a heavy weight. She didn't sleep well, waking up just before dawn. The sun crept over the trees, cutting through the black sky like a blazing blade.
She looked back at Link, deciding not to wake him. He could stay in the darkness a little longer.